The White House refused to answer questions regarding President Barack Obama’s stance on the George Zimmerman trial on Thursday in an unexpected move to distance itself from Obama’s previous comments.

“[Obama's] comments are what they were, but we’re not going to say anything from here,” press secretary Jay Carney said.

When asked by reporters if the Justice Department will be watching the outcome and reporting back to the President, Carney said, “I do not know the answer to that question.”

Last March during a press conference in the Rose Garden, Obama responded emotionally to questions regarding Martin’s death.

“I’m head of the executive branch and the Attorney General reports to me, and I’ve got to be careful about my statements to make sure we not impair any investigation that’s taking place right now,” Obama said, prefacing his remarks.

“If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon,” Obama continued. “I think [Martin's parents] are right to expect that all of us as Americans are going to take this with the seriousness it deserves and were going to get to the bottom of exactly what happened.”

Obama also called the incident a “tragedy,” adding, “I think all of us have to do some soul searching to think about how something like this happens.”

The White House refused to answer questions regarding President Barack Obama’s stance on the George Zimmerman trial on Thursday in an unexpected move to distance itself from Obama’s previous comments.

“[Obama's] comments are what they were, but we’re not going to say anything from here,” press secretary Jay Carney said.

__________________
Ehyeh asher ehyeh.

"You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream – the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order – or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism." -Ronald Reagan

The White House refused to answer questions regarding President Barack Obama’s stance on the George Zimmerman trial on Thursday in an unexpected move to distance itself from Obama’s previous comments.

“[Obama's] comments are what they were, but we’re not going to say anything from here,” press secretary Jay Carney said.

Not seeing distancing. I see the word "distance" because that's what the writer used. I just don't see any actual distancing. But this is really important, so I hope this distancing issue gets resolved.

Not seeing distancing. I see the word "distance" because that's what the writer used. I just don't see any actual distancing. But this is really important, so I hope this distancing issue gets resolved.

__________________
Ehyeh asher ehyeh.

"You and I are told we must choose between a left or right, but I suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There is only an up or down. Up to man's age-old dream – the maximum of individual freedom consistent with order – or down to the ant heap of totalitarianism." -Ronald Reagan

Not seeing distancing. I see the word "distance" because that's what the writer used. I just don't see any actual distancing. But this is really important, so I hope this distancing issue gets resolved.

Not seeing distancing. I see the word "distance" because that's what the writer used. I just don't see any actual distancing. But this is really important, so I hope this distancing issue gets resolved.

Sure there is. It's a bit subtle but it's there.

Administration old stance on the issue:

(1) "It's a tragedy." If Zimmerman is rightfully defending himself from an attack it's not a tragedy. It's a case of self defense. Sure it's still a sad situation but it's not a tragedy. Again, if Zimmerman is rightfully defending himself.

(2) “If I had a son, he would look like Trayvon.” He's attempting to characterize Martin, to portray him in a sympathetic way. To make him appear to be a sympathetic character. Kind of like something that a lawyer would do to influence a jury.

(3) “I think all of us have to do some soul searching to think about how something like this happens.” Once again, if Zimmerman is rightfully defending himself than this doesn't require soul searching.

Administration new stance on the issue:

(1) “[Obama's] comments are what they were, but we’re not going to say anything from here,” Do you know what it means when someone says "It is what it is"? It's a phrase that means that something has happened that can't be changed, even though the speaker wished that wasn't the case. He's coming as close as he can to saying that Obama was wrong for making those statements and he's saying that no more statements will be made.

(2) When asked by reporters if the Justice Department will be watching the outcome and reporting back to the President, Carney said, “I do not know the answer to that question.” Here he very blatantly blows off the issue entirely to shut down further questioning. There are a number of neutral comments that he could have made at this point even without speaking to Obama first about it. But he chose to blow it off to shut down conversation about the issue

It's fairly obvious that the administration is distancing itself from the case. That's probably a good idea. Obama already blew a military trial by making inappropriate comments. Maybe he's learned his lesson.

__________________

Oh, thou clear spirit, of thy fire thou madest me, and like a true child of fire, I breathe it back to thee.

Not seeing distancing. I see the word "distance" because that's what the writer used. I just don't see any actual distancing. But this is really important, so I hope this distancing issue gets resolved.

It might be more accurate to say they are leaning away from the comment.

__________________
"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t*rd by the clean end"

(1) "It's a tragedy." If Zimmerman is rightfully defending himself from an attack it's not a tragedy. It's a case of self defense. Sure it's still a sad situation but it's not a tragedy. Again, if Zimmerman is rightfully defending himself.

From what I know if I were sitting on the jury I would find Zimmerman not-guilty of murder. I think there is reasonable doubt. At the same time, I would find against Zimmerman in a wrongful death civil suit based on Zimmerman's pursuit of Martin with a lower standard of preponderance of evidence. The guy is a complete moron and was the instigating force in a senseless and needless death. It's a tragedy any way you slice it and I don't read anything the administration said as backing away from that.

The guy is a complete moron and was the instigating force in a senseless and needless death.

That's your opinion which you are, of course, free to express. The POTUS really shouldn't be making these types of comments about cases like this one before or during the trial. That's why the administration is backing away from Obama's comments. They shouldn't have been made.

__________________

Oh, thou clear spirit, of thy fire thou madest me, and like a true child of fire, I breathe it back to thee.

The media wanted George Zimmerman to be white, just like they did with the DC Sniper 10 years ago and just like they did with the Boston Bombing suspects. When it turned out he was hIspanic, they just made him a "White hispanic" and made sure it was a white-black story.

And it's real obvious why: the media doesn't want any friction between blacks and hispanics. They want them to be a lockstep voting coalition in elections. Reporting Zimmerman as a hispanic might cause tension in that coalition.